THE Vale Royal branch of the Alzheimer's Society hit the highways of Mid Cheshire last week for its annual roadshow.

The society estimates that there are more than 750,000 people in the UK with dementia and, to highlight the risk of dementia and what can be done to help, staff, accompanied by their elephant mascot, visited Northwich and Winsford.

Information and awareness officer Fran Dean said: 'It went really well; we had more than 300 visitors to the stand and raised over £700.

'But it wasn't about collecting money, the focus was on promoting the society, raising awareness of the disease and that the society can help people if they care for someone with dementia or have it themselves.

'To attract people we were as bright and colourful as we could be. Our elephant mascot handed out flyers and we gave balloons to children and even though people might not have been thinking of taking any information away, they now know of us.'